90 replies to this topic

[lynnski]

So it doesn't bother you that they don't know anything because they don't sit still long enough to properly learn anything??

I've heard a story just today about someone's daughter voting for the first time on Thursday - came out from the polling station puzzled as to why there was no sign of the names Cameron Clegg or Brown on her ballot paper. I daresay she wasn't alone.


Engaged my arse.

Sounds like that particular girl wasn't switched on or engaged, but at least she cast a vote. Don't tar all youngsters with the brush of this one example. Who exactly says they don't know anything? That's your opinion. Not every teenager/young person/twenty something is like that and many can and do 'sit still long enough to properly learn'.

[lynnski]

They have no knowledge of the old ways.

Maybe that's a good thing, maybe they are making decisions on the basis of their own opinions and feelings. I will never, ever vote Tory because I remember the 80's. Maybe that prejudices me.

[harper]

Words of wisdom Harper! The internet has opened many, many new means of people having their voices heard, and many new ways of making sure the politicians sit up and take note. My 18 year old cousin and her Uni friends were actual proper Labour activists, out on the road, canvassing and whatnot. I don't agree with her politics but I love her passion. Westtie, you just need to surround yourself with some youngsters!

Well, I don't have any truck with the Labour Party as it presently stands (despite Westtender's assumptions:)) I had a few young people on my doorstep too, Lynski and they were very switched on. I think a good mix of youth and experience is very healthy. Most of the canvassers see the future in Miliband and I gave one of them a virtual kick in the pants for telling me Blair would go down in history as a great leader. Hopefully they learn something from the people they canvass too... it's all good stuff.

Tony Benn gave a speech at my son's school, a big local comprehensive, to the school leavers group a couple of years back. He was so inspiring and supportive of these young people. He told them they were the future and they should go out there and fight for what they believe in. There was hardly a dry eye in the hoose and the kids adored him.

Never be put off by the grumblies, lol

[notanimby]

Well, I don't have any truck with the Labour Party as it presently stands (despite Westtender's assumptions:)) I had a few young people on my doorstep too, Lynski and they were very switched on. I think a good mix of youth and experience is very healthy. Most of the canvassers see the future in Miliband and I gave one of them a virtual kick in the pants for telling me Blair would go down in history as a great leader. Hopefully they learn something from the people they canvass too... it's all good stuff.

Tony Benn gave a speech at my son's school, a big local comprehensive, to the school leavers group a couple of years back. He was so inspiring and supportive of these young people. He told them they were the future and they should go out there and fight for what they believe in. There was hardly a dry eye in the hoose and the kids adored him.

Never be put off by the grumblies, lol

Unfortunately H, inspiring political speakers are few and far between nooadays, never mind wans that are inspiring but also honest.

Benn is wan of the most brillyint speakesr I have ever heard.
So was Ian Paisley, no matter how much ah disagreed wae him

But the last thing the lieboor party, Tories ur the lib0dumbs want is inspiring folk, they might say sumthin aff message to the great unwashed and be believed.
The likes of lieboor see their future in the likes of milliebland, a cardboard cut-out with the charisma, presence and inspiring qualities of a dog turd.

[harper]

Unfortunately H, inspiring political speakers are few and far between nooadays, never mind wans that are inspiring but also honest.

Benn is wan of the most brillyint speakesr I have ever heard.
So was Ian Paisley, no matter how much ah disagreed wae him

But the last thing the lieboor party, Tories ur the lib0dumbs want is inspiring folk, they might say sumthin aff message to the great unwashed and be believed.
The likes of lieboor see their future in the likes of milliebland, a cardboard cut-out with the charisma, presence and inspiring qualities of a dog turd.

I agree, it's a depressing picture and there is no clear end in sight. I don't believe Labour deserved to win after abandoning the Party to the likes of Mandelson and Campbell. Damage limitation seemed the only option in this election but I have confidence in young people and believe they will forge a new political agenda based on their own values. We had 18 years of Tory atrocities, followed by 13 years of a Labour government derailed by Blair's war and no political alternatives endorsed by the electorate.

I agree with you about Milliband. He makes me want to open a vein... actually, most of them do. It has to be different and our young people will demand that it is.

[harper]

I think you'll find the west end of Glasgow where I have worked & spent most of my life is stuffed full of student 'youngsters' who are supposed to be intelligent, voting for the first time. I talk, listen and observe. Always have done.

As a former stalwart of the formerly highly politically active QM and supported of the campaign to get Winnie Mandela as rector and the QM bar renamed to the Biko bar, I know that the quality of the involvement in politics now as opposed to then, is lamentable.

I take it this was before she was implicated in the kidnap and murder of Stompie Moketsie.

[harper]

I wish to feck GB would cut his losses, come to his senses, take a break... and come back home to get involved in a new Scottish Labour Party. A new beginning for the party in the country of its birth.
A redemption for him.

It would be a far more dignified end to a (largely wasted) political career than the one he's currently looking at.


Truly scary.


Truly scary.


How many knew who he is / was, and what he stood for?
How many questioned him on what he believes and why he believed it?

At the start, not many but that's not reallty the point, It's how they felt at the end of his speech that mattered. If it encouraged some young people to become politically active that's all that matters:)

[harper]

If he told them anything at all about why he's no longer having anything to do with politics, it's not exactly going to encourage them.

Ok Westtender, life is shit...
There's no hope...
We are all doomed...
Everyone under 25 is crap...


Happy now?

[rolo tomassi]

One has to wonder why. It was a vote cast by a clueless person who had no idea what was happening.

Is that A Good Thing?

Well, cluelessness is hardly confined to the teenage voter, is it?

[samscafeamericain]

Maybe that's a good thing, maybe they are making decisions on the basis of their own opinions and feelings. I will never, ever vote Tory because I remember the 80's. Maybe that prejudices me.

Its a good prejudice to have

[notanimby]

Am strugglin' tae find oot anything aboot the "take back parliament" stuff in the Scottish press

Did anywan ovra twitteratti actually turn up in George Sq fur this "demo" ur did they jist have a virtual wan which is a damned site easier than gettin aff thur erse and goin intae toon

[maggs]

I to have ben looking for some info, but can't find any, Lynski give us an update on the turnout.

[lynnski]

I to have ben looking for some info, but can't find any, Lynski give us an update on the turnout.

Erm...I wizny there!! My mate who was said around 100 people turned up, not too bad given it was organised the day before! There's a main protest in Parliament Square next Saturday, there'll probably be a lot more people at that one.

Did anyone see the protesters outside the Lib Dems office on Saturday? There were protests all over the UK, not just these 2, and there are many more planned.